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Turf Talk
by mac-lpoa
STEVE GRIESINGER, COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
As I sit here typing this article on Halloween Eve, it is sleeting and snowing. Hopefully the weather will turn for the better in November, as the Board of Directors has approved the removal of the four trees at the dog leg on the right side of fairway. The contractor and I will be in constant communication to have this done when ground is solid enough to handle the equipment. So please be on the lookout for this activity.
As the weather begins to turn colder, the carts will be allowed off the paths (weather permitting), however, please keep the carts in the rough as much as possible, as the zoysia grass cannot handle cart traffic when it is dormant. We will remain with this program until the zoysia fairways begin turning back to their green color in the spring. At some point time in November, we will install two pins on the greens to reduce wear and tear as the greens begin to freeze. The greens freeze sooner and easier than other turf areas due to the sand base and lower turf height. Please move the flags from one hole to the other as your group plays throughout the winter. We will change the pins as weather permits during the winter months.
The greens are really good right now. I have heard that comment several times this fall. I hate to say it, but it is directly related to the weather. When the daytime temps do not get any higher than 60-70 degrees, we can do some things to golf greens that can create ball speed. I have also heard, “I wish the greens were like this all year around”. If we had temperatures just like we have in the fall, the greens could be like this all year around. The problem is we don’t have weather like this in the summer. Also the height of cut on the greens has not changed one time all year. You might ask, “How do you create ball speed without changing the height of cut?” There are several different ways: rolling, topdressing, brooming, less moisture, verticutting, growth regulators etc.) So enjoy while the weather is good.
Hope to see you on the course soon.
